YBaCuO pellet with magnet in liquid nitrogen on TV camera.

Meissner effect: Magnet levitates over cooled ceramic superconductor. A black superconductor ceramic disk is placed on a .25 inch thick piece of cork in a shallow styrofoam dish. Liquid nitrogen is then poured into the dish. The disk is placed so that its top is flush with the surface of the liquid. When the disk is sufficiently cool, a small but strong neodymium magnet, held by plastic tongs, is carefully placed above the disk.The magnet hovers several millimeters above the superconductor surface due to the Meissner effect. Touching the magnet lightly with the plastic tongs will set the magnet spinning in place. NOTE: For other applications, see accompanying manual.